Grassroots Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Exploration in the Atlantic Ocean and off Florida's Gulf Coast - Oceana USA

Grassroots Opposition to Offshore Drilling and Exploration in the Atlantic Ocean and off Florida’s Gulf Coast

Overview

East Coast communities strongly oppose offshore oil and gas drilling and exploration, including seismic airgun blasting—an extremely loud and dangerous process used to search for oil and gas deposits deep below the ocean’s surface—because these activities threaten their economic well-being and quality of life.  Along the Atlantic coast, communities rely on healthy ocean ecosystems to support jobs in fishing, recreation, and tourism.

Nearly 400 municipalities and over 2,300 elected local, state and federal officials have formally opposed offshore oil and gas drilling and seismic airgun blasting, including more than 290 along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. Nearly every Governor along the East and West coasts – Republicans and Democrats alike – have expressed concerns with and/or opposition to expanded oil and gas exploration, development, and production off their coasts, including the Governors of Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New York, New Jersey, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Along the Atlantic Coast, numerous fishing and tourism interests, including local chambers of commerce, tourism and restaurant associations, and an alliance representing over 59,000 businesses and 500,000 fishing families from Florida to Maine, also strongly oppose oil exploration and/or development off the East Coast.

Additionally, the Pacific, North Pacific, New England, South Atlantic, and Mid-Atlantic Fishery Management Councils have all expressed concerns about the risks posed by seismic surveys and oil and gas development to managed resources, fisheries and coastal communities in the Atlantic. Finally, NASA, the Department of Defense, and the Florida Defense Support Task Force have all expressed concerns about expanded offshore oil and gas development.

Click here to view the full size map.

Where the movement began: Kure Beach, North Carolina, a picturesque tourist destination known for its small town atmosphere and the oldest fishing pier on the Atlantic coast, was ground zero in the fight against offshore oil exploration in the Atlantic Ocean. This tiny spit of sand that 2,000 people call home sparked a movement that has spread like wildfire up and down the East Coast. On January 27, 2014, more than 300 residents showed up to protest the mayor’s position on seismic airgun blasting. Check out the video of the meeting, and read more on our blog.

Ever since that fateful night in January, opposition to seismic airgun blasting and Atlantic drilling has been mounting. Members of congress and East Coast governors need to hear from the people who will be most affected by seismic blasting and offshore drilling — and that’s where you come in. We have some great momentum, but we’re only going to #ProtectOurCoast if more of us take up the call. Check out all the opposition to offshore oil and gas exploration and development, spread the word, and join the movement!

Additional Resources

Email us at act@oceana.org to join our pod of Wavemakers who want to get involved at the local level. The campaign organizer in your region will contact you about next steps.

Join the #ProtectOurCoast movement!

East Coast opposition

Opposition to New Leases in President Biden’s Five Year Oil and Gas Leasing Plan

  1. St. Augustine, FL: Passed resolution 6/26/2023
  2. St. Pete Beach, FL: Passed resolution 6/29/2023
  3. Treasure Island, FL: Passed resolution 7/18/2023

Municipalities and Counties

  1. Accomack County, VA: Passed resolution 4/15/2009 (offshore drilling); Voted to send letter 2/12/2016 (offshore drilling)
  2. Allenhurst, GA: Passed resolution 10/7/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  3. Anna Maria, FL: Passed resolution 6/13/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  4. Annapolis, MD: Passed resolution 2/26/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  5. Apalachicola, FLPassed resolution 11/7/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  6. Arapahoe, NC: Passed resolution 3/1/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  7. Asbury Park, NJ: Passed resolution 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  8. Asheville, NC: Passed resolution 4/23/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  9. Atlanta, GA: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  10. Atlantic Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/8/2014 (seismic blasting)
  11. Atlantic Beach, NCPassed resolution 11/23/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  12. Atlantic Beach, SC: Passed resolution 9/14/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  13. Atlantic City, NJ: Passed resolution 4/9/2015 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  14. Atlantic County, NJ: Passed resolution 1/30/2018 (offshore drilling)
  15. Atlantic Highlands, NJ: Passed resolution 2/15/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  16. Avalon, NJPassed resolution 10/12/2016 (seismic blasting)
  17. Aventura, FL: Passed resolution 10/2/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  18. Bald Head Island, NC: Passed resolution 8/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  19. Bal Harbour, FL: Passed resolution 9/7/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  20. Baltimore, MD: Passed resolution 10/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  21. Barnegat, NJ: Passed resolution 7/28/2014 (seismic blasting)
  22. Barrier Islands, FL: Passed resolution 4/25/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  23. Beach Haven, NJ: Passed resolution 8/11/2014 (seismic blasting)
  24. Beachwood, NJ: Passed resolution 7/16/2014 (seismic blasting)
  25. Beaufort, NC: Passed resolution 8/10/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  26. Beaufort, SC: Passed resolution 2/10/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  27. Beaufort County, SC: Passed resolution 5/13/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  28. Belfast, ME: Awaiting resolution copy
  29. Belleair Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  30. Belleair Shore, FL: Passed resolution 3/20/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  31. Belmar, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  32. Belville, NC: Passed resolution 3/7/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  33. Berkeley, NJ: Passed resolution 1/22/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  34. Berlin, MD: Passed resolution 1/25/2016 (seismic blasting)
  35. Bethany Beach, DEPassed resolution 3/18/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  36. Bloomingdale, GA: Passed resolution 5/16/2019 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  37. Boca Raton, FL: Passed resolution 11/27/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  38. Bonita Springs, FL: Passed resolution 4/1/2015 (seismic blasting)
  39. Boynton Beach, FL: Passed resolution 12/3/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  40. Bradley Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 3/11/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  41. Bradenton Beach, FL: Passed resolution 7/11/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  42. Briarcliffe Acres, SC: Passed resolution 10/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  43. Brick, NJ: Passed resolution 1/30/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  44. Brigantine, NJ: Passed resolution 3/18/2015 (seismic blasting)
  45. Brookhaven, NY: Sent letter 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
  46. Broward County, FL: Passed resolution 4/10/2010 (offshore drilling)
  47. Brunswick, GA: Passed resolution 5/20/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  48. Calabash, NC: Passed resolution 3/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  49. Cape Canaveral, FL: Passed resolution 12/15/2009 (offshore drilling); Passed 4/15/2014 (seismic blasting)
  50. Cape Charles, VA: Passed resolution 8/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  51. Cape Coral, FLPassed resolution 2/8/2016 (seismic blasting)
  52. Cape May County, NJPassed resolution 8/9/2016 (seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  53. Carolina Beach, NC: Passed resolution 2/28/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 10/13/2015 (offshore drilling)
  54. Carolina Shores, NC: Passed resolution 10/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  55. Carrboro, NC: Passed resolution 3/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  56. Caswell Beach, NC: Passed resolution 3/31/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 10/14/2015 (offshore drilling)
  57. Cedar Point, NCPassed resolution 1/26/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  58. Chapel Hill, NC: Passed resolution 9/28/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  59. Charleston, SC: Passed resolution 3/24/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  60. Charleston County, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  61. Charlestown, RI: Passed resolution 3/12/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  62. Cheriton, VA: Passed resolution 3/27/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  63. Chesapeake, VA: Passed Resolution 10/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  64. Chincoteague, VA: Passed resolution 8/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  65. Cinco Bayou, FL: Passed resolution 10/12/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  66. Clearwater, FL: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  67. Cocoa Beach, FLPassed resolution 4/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
  68. Coconut Creek, FL: Passed resolution 6/28/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  69. Collier County, FL: Passed resolution 1/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  70. Columbia, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  71. Cooper City, FL: Passed resolution 6/19/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  72. Coral Gables, FL: Passed resolution 9/11/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  73. Crisfield, MD: Passed resolution 2/27/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  74. Currituck County, NC: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  75. Dania Beach, FL: Passed resolution 5/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  76. Dare County, NC: Passed resolution 12/5/2005 (offshore drilling); Passed another 4/6/2015 (offshore drilling); Passed another 2/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  77. Davie, FL: Passed resolution 6/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  78. Deerfield Beach, FL: Passed resoultion 5/15/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  79. Delray Beach, FL: Pass resolution 2/5/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  80. Dewey Beach, DE: Passed resolution 12/12/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  81. Duck, NC: Passed resolution 9/2/2009 (offshore drilling); Passed another 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  82. Dunedin, FL: Passed resolution 2/4/2010 (offshore drilling)
  83. East Hampton, NY: Passed resolution 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
  84. Edisto Beach, SC: Passed resolution 5/8/2014 (seismic blasting)
  85. Emerald Isle, NC: Passed resolution 4/15/2015 (seismic blasting); Passed another 10/13/2015 (offshore drilling)
  86. Escambia County, FLPassed resolution 5/4/2017 (offshore drilling)
  87. Exmore, VA: Passed resolution 7/2/2018 (offshore drilling)
  88. Fenwick Island, DE: Passed resolution 1/22/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  89. Fernandina Beach, FL: Passed resolution 12/2/2014 (seismic blasting)
  90. Flagler County, FL: Passed resolution 5/18/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  91. Flemington, GA: passed resolution 4/9/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting) 
  92. Florence, SC: passed resolution 10/14/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  93. Folly Beach, SC: Passed resolution 3/10/15 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  94. Ft. Lauderdale, FL: Passed resolution 4/19/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  95. Ft. Myers Beach, FL: Passed resolution 4/6/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  96. Ft. Walton Beach, FL: Passed resolution 6/27/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  97. Garden City, GA: Passed resolution 2/4/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  98. Georgetown, SC: Passed resolution 4/16/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  99. Georgetown County, SC: Passed resolution 7/25/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  100. Greenville, SC: Passed resolution 4/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  101. Gulfport, FL: Passed resolution 9/15/2009 (offshore drilling)
  102. Hallandale Beach, FL: Passed resolution 5/2/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  103. Hampton, VA: Passed resolution 2/28/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  104. Havre de Grace, MD: Passed resolution 6/6/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  105. Hilton Head, SC: Voted to send letter to BOEM 3/25/2015 (offshore drilling); Voted to send letter to the State’s Department of Health and Environmental Control 3/19/2015 (seismic blasting)
  106. Hinesville, GA: Passed resolution 3/17/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  107. Holden Beach, NC: Passed resolution 9/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  108. Holly Ridge, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  109. Hollywood, FL: Passed resolution 7/3/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  110. Holmes Beach, FL: Passed resolution 7/30/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  111. Horry County, SC: Passed resolution 8/22/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  112. Hurlock, MD: Passed resolution 1/13/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  113. Hyde County, NC: Passed resolution 3/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting
  114. Indialantic, FL: Passed resolution 1/7/2015 (seismic blasting)
  115. Indian Beach, NC: Passed resolution 3/11/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  116. Indian Harbor Beach, FL: Passed resolution 1/13/2015 (seismic blasting)
  117. Indian River County, FL: Passed resolution 12/8/2015 (seismic blasting)
  118. Indian Rocks Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/27/2018 (offshore drilling)
  119. Indian Shores, FL: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  120. Islamorada, FL: Passed resolution 9/8/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  121. Isle of Palms, SC: Passed resolution 2/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  122. Isle of Wight, VA: Awaiting resolution copy
  123. Jacksonville Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/16/2015 (seismic blasting)
  124. James City County, VA: Passed resolution 2/27/2018 (offshore drilling)
  125. James Island, SC: Passed resolution 3/19/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  126. Jamestown, RI: Passed resolution 4/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  127. Jupiter, FL: Passed resolution 11/17/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  128. Jupiter Inlet Colony, FL: Passed resolution 1/13/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  129. Keller, VA: Awaiting resolution copy
  130. Keyport, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  131. Key Colony Beach, FL: Passed resolution 6/14/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  132. Key West, FL: Passed reolution 3/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  133. Kiawah Island, SC: Passed resolution 5/5/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  134. Kill Devil Hills, NC:  Passed resolution 6/9/2014 (offshore drilling)
  135. Kingsland, GA: Passed resolution 4/13/2015 (seismic blasting, proclamation)
  136. Kitty Hawk, NC: Passed resolution 9/12/2005 (offshore drilling and exploration)
  137. Kure Beach, NC: Passed resolution 1/19/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  138. Lauderdale by the Sea, FL: Passed resolution 3/12/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting)
  139. Lavallette, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling)
  140. Layton, FL: Passed resolution 5/1/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  141. Leland, NC: Passed resolution 3/15/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  142. Lewes, DE: Passed resolution 11/9/2015 (seismic blasting)
  143. Liberty County, GA: Passed resolution 5/16/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  144. Longboat Key, FL: Passed resolution 10/5/2009 (offshore drilling)
  145. Long Branch, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  146. Lower Township, NJ: Passed resolution 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  147. Madeira Beach, FL: Passed resolution 4/26/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  148. Manasquan, NJ: Passed resolution 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  149. Manatee County, FL: Passed resolution 7/23/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  150. Manteo, NC: Passed resolution 5/7/2014 (seismic blasting)
  151. Mantoloking, NJ: Passed resolution 2/20/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  152. Marathon, FL: passed resolution 3/27/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  153. Martin County, FL: Sent letter 7/30/2014 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  154. McClellanville, SC: Passed resolution 5/4/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  155. Meggett, SC: passed resolution 2/24/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  156. Melbourne, FL: Passed resolution 1/13/2015 (seismic blasting)
  157. Melbourne Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/17/2014 (seismic blasting)
  158. Miami, FL: Passed resolution 1/25/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  159. Miami Beach, FL: Passed resolution 9/10/2008 (offshore drilling); Passed another 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling)
  160. Miami-Dade County, FL: Passed resolution 6/20/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  161. Miami Shores, FL: Passed resolution 10/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  162. Middlesex County, VA: Passed resolution 11/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  163. Midway, GA: Passed resolution 12/10/2018 (ofsfshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  164. Milton, DEPassed resolution 2/24/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  165. Monmouth Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 2/27/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  166. Monmouth County, NJ: Passed resolution 2/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  167. Monroe County, FL: Passed resolution 4/12/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  168. Montgomery County, MD: Passed resolution 3/1/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  169. Montross, VA: Passed resolution 11/27/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  170. Morehead City, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  171. Mt. Pleasant, SC: Passed resolution 5/13/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  172. Myrtle Beach, SC: Passed resolution 8/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); Passed another 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  173. Nags Head, NC: Passed resolution 4/2/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 7/2/2014 (offshore drilling)
  174. Nantucket, MA: Passed resolution 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  175. Naples, FL: Passed resolution 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  176. Neptune Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
  177. New Hanover County, NC: Passed resolution 1/22/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  178. Newport News, VA: Passed resolution 10/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  179. New Shoreham, RI: Passed resolution 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  180. New Smyrna Beach, FL: Passed resolution 12/9/2014 (seismic blasting)
  181. Norfolk, VA: Passed resolution 7/18/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  182. North Bay Village, FL: Passed resolution 5/12/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  183. North Myrtle Beach, SC: Passed resolution 8/17/2015 (offshore drilling)
  184. North Redington Beach, FL: Passed resolution 1/10/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  185. North Wildwood, NJPassed resolution 8/16/2016 (seismic blasting); Passed another 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  186. Northampton County, VA: Passed resolution 3/8/2016 (offshore drilling)
  187. North Topsail Beach, NC: Passed resolution 9/17/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  188. Oak Island, NC: Passed resolution 4/29/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 9/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  189. Oakland Park, FL: Passed resolution 7/19/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  190. Ocean Beach, NY: Passed resolution 8/11/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  191. Ocean City, MD: Passed resolution 9/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  192. Ocean County, NJ: Passed resolution 1/17/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  193. Ocean Gate, NJ: Passed resolution 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  194. Ocean Isle Beach, NC: Passed resolution 10/13/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  195. Ocean Ridge, FL: Passed resolution 12/2/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  196. Okaloosa County, FL: Passed resolution 5/15/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  197. Onancock, VA: Updated 9/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  198. Onley, VA: passed resolution 6/3/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  199. Orange County, NC: Passed resolution 9/1/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  200. Oriental, NC: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  201. Palm Beach County, FL: Passed resolution in 2010 (offshore drilling)
  202. Patchogue, NY: Passed resolution 7/23/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  203. Pawleys Island, SC: Passed resolution 9/14/2015 (offshore drilling, proclamation)
  204. Pembroke, GA: passed resolution 3/11/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  205. Pensacola, FLPassed resolution 5/11/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  206. Pine Knoll Shores, NC: Passed resolution 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  207. Pinellas County, FL: Passed resolution 2/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  208. Pinecrest Village, FL: Passed resolution 4/10/2018 (offshore drilling)
  209. Point Pleasant Beach, NJ: Passed resolution 1/16/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  210. Point Pleasant Borough, NJ: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  211. Pompano Beach, FL: Passed resolution 7/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  212. Pooler, GA: Passed resolution 3/18/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  213. Poquoson, VA: Passed resolution 11/13/2018 (offshore drilling)
  214. Port Royal, SC: Passed resolution 2/11/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  215. Porterdale, GA: Passed resolution 9/6/2016 (offshore drilling)
  216. Portland, ME: Passed resolution 2/15/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  217. Portsmouth, VA: Passed resolution 3/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  218. Port Wentworth, GA: Awaiting resolution copy (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  219. Punta Gorda, FL: Passed resolution 2/3/2016 (seismic blasting)
  220. Red Bank, NJ: Passed resolution 3/12/2014 (seismic blasting)
  221. Redington Beach, FL: Passed resolution 2/7/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  222. Redington Shores, FL: Passed resolution 2/14/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  223. Rehoboth Beach, DE: Passed resolution 1/15/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  224. Riceboro, GA: passed resolution 3/5/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  225. Richmond Hill, GA: Passed resolution 3/18/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  226. Riverhead, NY: Passed resolution 9/5/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  227. Rockville, SC: Passed resolution 4/20/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  228. Roosevelt, NJ: Passed resolution 2/26/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  229. Safety Harbor, FL: Passed resolution 6/18/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  230. Salisbury, MD: passed resolution 4/15/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  231. Saltaire, NY: Passed resolution 11/12/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  232. Sanibel, FL: Passed resolution 12/6/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  233. Sarasota, FL: Passed resolution 10/5/2009 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  234. Satellite Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/5/2014 (seismic blasting)
  235. Savannah, GA: Passed resolution 4/30/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  236. Saxis, VA: Passed resolution 5/6/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  237. Sea Bright, NJ: Passed resolution 1/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  238. Sea Isle City, NJ: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  239. Seabrook Island, SC Mayor and Councilmembers: Voted to send letter 5/8/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  240. Shallotte, NC: Passed resolution 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  241. Shelter Island, NY: passed resolution 11/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  242. South Bethany, DE: Passed resolution 6/10/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  243. South Miami, FL: Passed resolution 11/7/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  244. Southampton, NY: Passed resolution 8/22/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  245. Southern Shores, NC: Passed resolution 1/4/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  246. Southold, NY: Passed resolution 9/25/2018 (offshore drilling)
  247. Southport, NC: Passed resolution 5/8/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another 8/13/2015 (offshore drilling); Reiterated opposition 2/8/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  248. Space Coast League of Cities: Passed resolution 2/9/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  249. Spring Lake, NJ: Passed resolution 1/23/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  250. St. Augustine, FL: Updated 4/14/2014 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  251. St. Augustine Beach, FL: Passed 4/19/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  252. St. James, NC: Passed resolution 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting, resolution of concern); Passed another 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  253. St. Johns County, FL: Sent letter 4/3/2014 (seismic blasting)
  254.  
  255. St. Lucie County, FL: Sent letter 8/11/2017 (offshore drilling)
  256. St. Marys, GAPassed resolution 2/2/2015 (seismic blasting, proclamation)
  257. St. Mary’s County, MD: Passed resolution 1/29/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  258. St. Pete Beach, FL: Passed resolution 3/13/18 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  259. St. Petersburg, FL: Passed resolution 4/17/2014 (seismic blasting)
  260. Stone Harbor, NJ: Passed resolution 7/19/2016 (seismic blasting)
  261. Stuart, FL: Passed resolution 5/20/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  262. Suffolk, VA: Passed resolution 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  263. Sullivan’s Island, SC:  Passed resolution 3/17/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  264. Sunny Isles Beach, FL: Passed resolution 7/16/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  265. Sunset Beach, NC: Passed resolution 6/30/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another on 6/5/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  266. Surf City, NC: Passed resolution 8/4/2015  (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  267. Surfside, FL: Passed resolution 8/14/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  268. Surfside Beach, SC: Passed resolution 9/22/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  269. Swansboro, NC: Passed resolution 11/24/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  270. Tappahannock, VA: Awaiting resolution copy
  271. Tarpon Springs, FL: Passed resolution 3/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  272. Titusville, FL: Passed resolution 1/12/2010 (offshore drilling)
  273. Tiverton, RI: Passed resolution 3/22/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  274. Thunderbolt, GA: Passed resolution 8/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  275. Toms River, NJ: Passed resolution 2/13/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  276. Topsail Beach, NC: Passed resolution 4/23/2014 (seismic blasting); Passed another on 4/11/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  277. Treasure Island, FL: Passed resolution 2/6/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); Passed another 7/18/2023 (offshore drilling and Five-Year Plan)
  278. Tybee Island, GAPassed resolution 1/15/2015 (seismic blasting); Passed another 9/10/2015 (offshore drilling)
  279. Urbanna, VA: Passed resolution 11/19/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  280. Vernonburg, GA: Passed resolution 4/11/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  281. Vero Beach, FL: Passed resolution 11/17/2015 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  282. Virginia Beach, VA: Passed resolution 6/20/2017 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling); Passed another 1/25/2018 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  283. Washington, DC: Passed resolution 2/19/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  284. West Cape May, NJ: Passed resolution 1/24/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  285. West Melbourne, FL: Passed resolution 2/3/2015 (seismic blasting)
  286. West Palm Beach, FL: Passed resolution 4/6/2020 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  287. West Wildwood, NJ: Passed resolution 8/5/2016 (seismic blasting)
  288. Wildwood Crest, NJ: Passed resolution 1/8/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  289. Williamsburg, VA: Passed resolution 11/9/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  290. Wilmington, NC: Passed resolution 7/21/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting); Passed another 8/15/2017
  291. Wilton Manors, FL: Passed resolution 3/14/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  292. Woodbine, GA: Passed resolution 12/2/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  293. Worcester County, MD: Passed resolution 2/21/2019 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  294. Wrightsville Beach, NC: Passed resolution 9/9/2010 (offshore drilling)

Business Interests

Multi-state

  • Joint Business Sign On Comment Letter on Proposed Program: The Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast, Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast, Florida Gulf Coast Business Coalition, and Surf Industry Members Association submitted a sign on comment letter to the federal register calling on BOEM and DOI to finalize a final five-year program with no new leases for offshore oil and gas drilling. 
  • The Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Submitted a joint letter with the Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast (BAPPC), the Florida Gulf Coast Business Coalition (FGCBC), Environmental Entrepreneurs (E2), and the Surf Industry Members Association (SIMA) to President Biden in advance of the release of his Proposed Program expressing support for protecting coastal economies by scheduling no new leases for offshore oil ang gas drilling in the five-year plan for the U.S. Outer Continental Shelf (OCS).
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Submitted a comment to the Department of the Interior in advance of their national review of the federal energy program highlighting the economic importance of permanent protections from new drilling on the OCS 4/15/2021.
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast joined the Business Alliance for Protecting the Pacific Coast and the Florida Gulf Coast Business Coalition to send a joint letter to Congress urging them to enact permanent protections of U.S. waters from further offshore oil and gas leasing 3/5/2021.
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging her to support all efforts to block expanded offshore drilling via the Interior-Environment funding bill 6/14/2019. (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • The Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment (US SIF): Sent letter to Secretary Zinke on behalf of 31 firms representing $30.7 billion in assets to oppose the Draft Proposed Program 3/9/2018 (offshore drilling)
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letters to Governors Scott, Deal, McAuliffe and Carney 7/21/2017 and Cooper 7/20/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke on behalf of more than 41,000 businesses and 500,200 commercial fishing families, urging them not to reconsider the 2017-2022 plan 4/28/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to President Obama on behalf of more than 35,000 businesses and 500,200 commercial fishing families from Maine to Florida, uring him to permanently protect the Atlantic from offshore oil and gas drilling, and to deny all Atlantic seismic airgun blasting permits 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 66 East Coast businesses: Signed letter to President Obama 12/12/2016 (offshore drilling)
  • Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast: Sent letter to President Obama on behalf of more than 12,000 businesses and 400,000 commercial fishing families 10/27/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 360+ East Coast Businesses: Signed letter to President Obama 2/16/2016 (offshore drilling)
  • 280 East Coast BusinessesSigned letter to President Obama 2/3/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 440+ South Carolina Businesses: Signed letter to Governor Haley 12/16/2015 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

Delaware

Florida

Maine

  • Maine Council of Churches: Rev. Carolyn Lambert of the Maine Council of Churches published an Op-Ed in Working Waterfront Magazine calling on Senators Collins and King to ensure budget reconciliation ends new offshore drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Eastern Gulf of Mexico. 5/12/2022
  • Hospitality Maine: Sent letter to Senator Collins and Senator King noting their opposition to offshore drilling and urging the Senators to support the House’s budget reconciliation provision that would ban new drilling in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Eastern Gulf of Mexico. 5/2/2022

Maryland

New Jersey

North Carolina

Rhode Island

  • Governor Daniel McKee: Signed a letter to Secretary Haaland reiterating strong opposition to offshore oil and gas drilling in the Atlantic.

South Carolina

Georgia

  • The Port Wentworth Chamber of Commerce: formally opposed offshore drilling activities upon becoming the first Georgia business chamber to join the Business Alliance for Protecting the Atlantic Coast in October 2018 (offshore drilling).

Virginia

Fishing Groups

Elected Officials and Key Stakeholders

Multi-state

Connecticut

  • Connecticut Delegation: Both senators Richard Blumenthal and Christopher Murphy, as well as five CT Members of Congress, signed a joint letter to Ryan Zinke to express their strong opposition to the 2019-2024 Draft Proposed Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program 2/21/2018 (offshore drilling)

Delaware

Florida

  • 14 U.S. Representatives from Florida sent a letter to President Trump asking for clarification on his remarks alluding to removing Florida from his OCS drilling plan 8/24/2020
  • Senator Bill Nelson: Submitted letter to Secretary of Interior Ryan Zinke in admonishment of his and Governor Scott’s lack of transparency about whether Florida is truly ‘off the table’ for the 2019-2024 OCS DPP and that the current moratorium against drilling off Florida’s coasts will be maintained 5/31/2018 (offshore drilling)
  • Florida Department of Environmental Protection: Submitted RFI comments on behalf of itself, as well as the Florida Department of State, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Geological Survey, and Treasure Coast Regional Planning Council, expressing concerns about the effects of OCS oil and gas activities off Florida’s coasts 8/17/2017 (offshore drilling)
  • Monroe County: Submitted RFI comments strongly opposing any expansion of offshore drilling 8/15/2017 (offshore drilling)
  • City of Coconut Creek: Submitted RFI comments opposing the expansion of offshore drilling on the Atlantic coast 8/10/2017 (offshore drilling)
  • Martin County: Submitted RFI comments strongly opposing any expansion of offshore drilling 7/26/2017 (offshore drilling)
  • Florida Coastal and Ocean Coalition: Sent letter to President Obama 11/15/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • Dunedin Mayor: Sent letters to Congressman David Jolly and Senator Bill Nelson in response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s fifth anniversary 4/20/2015 and 4/21/2015 (offshore drilling)
  • Florida State Department of Environmental Protection: Sent letter to BOEM “recommending delaying permitting until data/information that is currently not available can be collected and effects assessed using this new information” 4/20/2015 (seismic blasting)
  • Space Coast League of Cities, FL: Passed resolution 2/9/2015 (seismic blasting)
  • Jacksonville Mayor Alvin Brown: Sent letter to BOEM 5/7/2014 (seismic blasting)
  • St. Augustine Beach Mayor Andrea Samuels: Sent letter to BOEM 4/15/2014 (seismic blasting)

Georgia

  • Rep. Buddy Carter: Sent a letter to Acting Secretary of Interior, David Bernhardt, asking him to exclude Georgia from any offshore drilling plans. 4/3/2019
  • Georgia House of Representatives: passed a resolution (H.R. 48) opposing offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting off the coast of Georgia. 4/2/2019
  • Rep. Buddy Carter: Sent letter to the Director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM), Walter Cruickshank, requesting that BOEM schedule a public hearing in Coastal Georgia to answer questions and further detail about Interior Department’s 2019-2024 National OCS Oil and Gas Leasing DPP impact on the coast and his constituents 1/5/2018 (offshore drilling)
  • Savannah Garden Club: Sent letter to President Obama 11/21/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 5 Georgia Mayors, led by Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown: Sent letter to President Obama 11/14/2016 (seismic blasting and offshore drilling)
  • One Hundred Miles: Sent letter to President Obama 11/4/2016 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • Hinesville Mayor Allen Brown: Sent letter to President Obama 10/6/2016 (seismic blasting)
  • Gray’s Reef national Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council: Sent letter to BOEM opposing offshore drilling 3/2/2018

Maryland

North Carolina

New Jersey

New York

Rhode Island

  • Town of Jamestown: Sent letter to Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke, Senator Jack Reed, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse, Governor Gina Raimondo, and the 39 cities and towns of Rhode Island in opposition of the proposed inclusion of the North Atlantic Region in the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Program in recognition of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill’s eighth anniversary 4/20/2018 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)

South Carolina

Virginia

Scientists and advocacy groups

  • 104 Scientists signed on to a letter to President Biden and Secretary Haaland calling on them to finalize a five-year plan with no new leases for offshore oil and gas driling.
  • Oceana Senior Federal Policy Manager Michael Messmer submitted to the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Outside Witness Testimony on the FY2023 Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
  • 44 Organizations: Sent a letter to US senators urging them to vote no on a Barrasso (R-WY) motion to instruct (MTI) conferees on USICA/America COMPETES Act (H.R. 4521).
  • Friends of the Everglades: Sent letter to Rep. Diaz Balart and Secretary of the Interior David Bernhardt opposing offshore drilling and seismic airgun blasting (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 38 Environmental Groups: Sent  letter to the U.S. House of Representatives urging their support of H.R. 1941 & 205 to permanently protect our coast from offshore drilling (offshore drilling)
  • Florida Oceanographic Society: Passed resolution opposing offshore drilling 5/22/2019 (offshore drilling)
  • Marine Megafauna Foundation: Sent letter to BOEM Director Cruickshank and Interior Secretary Zinke to express their opposition to seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic and requests that permits to conduct these tests be halted 9/4/2018 (seismic blasting)
  • 33 U.S. Zoos and Aquariums: Sent letter to Interior Secretary Zinke to express their opposition to expanded oil and gas exploration and drilling in the 2019-2024 National Outer Continental Shelf Oil and Gas Leasing Draft Proposed Program 3/2/2018 (offshore drilling)
  • National Audobon Society: made statement against offshore drilling 1/4/2018
  • 225 Nonprofit Organizations and Businesses: Sent letter to the U.S. House of Representatives opposing the pro-offshore drilling “ASTRO” Act 11/7/2017
  • 66 Nonprofit Organizations: Sent letter to U.S. House of Representatives opposing the pro-offshore drilling “SECURE” Act 11/7/2017
  • 67 Nonprofit Organizations: Sent letter to NOAA 7/21/2017 (seismic blasting)
  • 60+ local groups: Sent letter to Rep. Mark Sanford (R-SC) in support of H.R. 2252, a bill that would establish a 10-year moratorium on offshore oil and gas drilling and seismic airgun blasting in the Atlantic, Straits of Florida, and Eastern Gulf of Mexico 6/8/2017
  • 38 diverse community groups: Sent letter to DOI 5/24/2017 (offshore drilling and seismic blasting)
  • 50+ conservation groups: Sent letter led by the Waterkeeper Alliance to President Obama urging him to permanently protect unleased U.S. waters from offshore drilling 12/13/2016 (offshore drilling)
  • Members of the Green GroupSent letter to the U.S. Senate urging them to vote down Senate Bill 3110 sponsored by Senators Vitter and Cassidy 7/5/2016 (offshore drilling)
  • 30+ conservation groups: Sent letter to BOEM urging them to redo or supplement the environmental impact statement for offshore oil and gas exploration in the Atlantic 5/26/2016 (seismic blasting)
  • 60+ conservation groups: Sent letter to BOEM urging them to deny pending permits for seismic blasting now that the Atlantic has been removed from the 5 year plan 4/28/2016 (seismic blasting)
  • 28 leading marine biologists with specific expertise on the North Atlantic right whale: Submitted letter to President Obama to halt the permitting of oil and gas seismic surveys off the East Coast 4/14/2016 (seismic blasting)
  • 48 state/regional conservation and civic groups: Sent letter to BOEM supporting their decision to remove the Atlantic from consideration for offshore drilling 4/11/2016 (offshore drilling)
  • 75 Leading marine scientists: Sent letter to the President urging him “to reject the Interior Department’s analysis and its decision to introduce seismic oil and gas surveys in the Atlantic,”  3/5/2015 (seismic blasting)
  • 95 state and local elected officialsSubmitted letter to President Obama opposing seismic blasting on 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting)
  • 163 conservation and animal rights groupsSubmitted letter to President Obama opposing seismic blasting on 5/6/2014 (seismic blasting)
  • 100+ scientists: Sent letter to President Obama urging him to “wait on new science before permitting the use of seismic airguns in the Atlantic Ocean” 2/20/2014 (seismic blasting)
  • Audobon Florida: Made a statement against offshore drilling 3/31/2010. Made another 1/4/2018 and 2/8/2018

Military Stakeholders and NASA

Congressional Letters

Editorials

Pacific

For information on West Coast opposition to offshore drilling activities, please visit: usa.oceana.org/pacific-drilling

Atlantic Drilling Media Briefer – November 3, 2016

Seismic Airgun Blasting Media Briefer – November 30, 2018